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“I wouldn’t go that far, but it gets me work. I have a bad feeling about Jaime’s project, but I don’t want him to be angry with me when we do the shoot tomorrow.”
“He’ll take the blame if we don’t look good, so I wouldn’t worry. Don’t let him coerce you into posing nude. With digital photography, photos can go around the world in less time than it used to take to develop a single shot in a darkroom.”
Valeria appeared to be really distressed. “That’s what worries me. The tabloids would put us on the front page and make fun of us for being too slender to look at without high-fashion clothes.”
Ana gave her a quick hug. “I’m thoroughly sick of the tabloids too. Tell Jaime after the shoot that you’ve decided not to do it. There are plenty of girls who will. Let them worry about the consequences.”
“I knew you’d know what to do. You’re always confident, and I admire you for it.”
“Thank you, but I wouldn’t go that far,” Ana replied with a gentle laugh. “Have you ever heard of Lorenzo Lamoreaux?”
“The name’s vaguely familiar. Does he do shoes?”
“Yes, he does. Someone sent me a pair. I’ll contact him when I get home.”
Valeria brushed her fingertips over her flying curls. “Let me know if he likes women with red hair.”
“I will.” They went inside to go to their rooms, but Ana was tempted to go right back out and call Alejandro. Really tempted, but rather than appear desperately needy, she let it go.
Mimi had a delicate touch with makeup and brought out each model’s exquisite beauty without overdoin
g it. They were photographing print ads for Galen’s holiday line, and the long, painted silks flowed easily on the morning breeze. The Palau de l’Amudaina had two tiers of beautiful arched arcades, and with that frame, even the most casual pose was extraordinarily lovely.
Ana followed Jaime’s directions and struck graceful poses, but she loved the splendid setting. When the Moors ruled Spain, they’d built the same extraordinary structures they had refined in North Africa. Each was a monument to their precise mathematics and geometry. The plain exteriors hid interiors of lavish intricacy that still marveled tourists.
She doubted many of today’s constructions would remain standing in seven hundred years. Unlike the glorious Moorish architecture, stark modern lines wouldn’t be missed.
“Ana!” Galen called. “Give us more of a smile. You’ve stepped out of a lavish party to catch your breath, and someone’s waiting for you.”
Ana licked her lips and tipped her head slightly. She thought of Alejandro and found a seductive smile.
“Perfect! Now let’s do the blue gowns,” Galen called.
Lourdes yawned. “All this fresh air makes me sleepy, and I don’t look good in blue.”
Ana caught Galen’s eye. “Do you want to put Lourdes in a brighter color and give Valeria and me the blue? The contrast might be more effective.”
Galen rested his hands on his hips. “Are you directing the shoot now?”
“It was merely a suggestion,” she replied sweetly. She was tired of keeping her ideas to herself. He designed the clothes but often didn’t understand how to show them to the best advantage.
“Brighter colors do look better on Lourdes,” Jaime added, without looking Ana’s way.
“All right, fine,” Galen agreed. “We haven’t much time. Let’s hurry through the next shots and then take a look at what we’ve got.”
“Thanks,” Lourdes whispered. “I look dreadful in pale blue.”
“You’re welcome,” Ana replied. When they finished work for the morning, the group scattered, while she stayed to tour the palace’s museum with its beautiful chapel of Santa Ana. Growing up, she’d missed a lot of school due to work, but wherever they’d gone, her mother had taken her to see the historic sights. She should have thanked her and used another of the postcards she’d bought to do so now.
She bought an ensaimada pastry, walked along the palm-tree-lined pathway to the Parc de la Mar and found a bench to rest. Naturally slim, she could have eaten a dozen of the delicious spirals, but she seldom ate sweets and one was enough. Once finished, she brushed the powdered sugar from her hands and pulled her book from her bag. She loved the water, and it was a beautiful place to read. As a child, she’d become adept at disappearing into herself. She could sparkle on cue and relax just as easily, but today she was sorry to be nearly invisible and alone.
She pulled out her phone and called Alejandro but her call went to his voice mail. “We’re finished for the day, and I’m reading by the water.” She’d ended the call before she realized she hadn’t given her name, but she didn’t call back. He’d know who she was, and if he didn’t, then he had too many girlfriends, and she didn’t care.
As she entered the Hotel Feliz, Galen waved to her from the bar. He was seated alone and drawing in his sketchbook. He closed it when she joined him. “This morning went well.”
“It did.” She ordered limeade, relaxed into a comfortable chair and crossed her legs.
“I still think we can do better tomorrow. I want to capture more of the romance of my designs.”
